Wind Power News: May 2009

These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.

COLEBROOK – Renewable energy is now an American mantra, but homeowner Stephen King has learned that a legal limbo awaits anyone who wakes up to discover that a wind farm might be going up next door. Because of a loophole that allows zoning boards to approve test towers for wind turbines without notifying neighbors, residents near terrain favorable for wind energy could face the prospect of a major wind energy project being built in their community with limited ability to challenge . . .Complete story »

Late-night noise from spinning wind turbines on an outlying island of Taiwan may have killed 400 goats over the past three years by depriving them of sleep, an agricultural inspection official said on Thursday. After the eight turbines were installed in the notoriously windy Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, a neighbouring farmer reported that his goats had started dying, Council of Agriculture inspection official Lu Ming-tseng said. “If noise at night can keep people awake, then it could also . . .Complete story »

A large number of goats in Taiwan may have died of exhaustion because of noise from a wind farm. A farmer on an outlying island told the BBC he had lost more than 400 animals after eight giant wind turbines were installed close to his grazing land. The Council of Agriculture says it suspects that noise may have caused the goats’ demise through lack of sleep. The power company, Taipower, has offered to pay for part of the costs of . . .Complete story »

A large number of goats in Taiwan may have died of exhaustion because of noise from a wind farm. A farmer on an outlying island told the BBC he had lost more than 400 animals after eight giant wind turbines were installed close to his grazing land. The Council of Agriculture says it suspects that noise may have caused the goats’ demise through lack of sleep. The power company, Taipower, has offered to pay for part of the costs of . . .Complete story »

Late-night noise from spinning wind turbines on an outlying island of Taiwan may have killed 400 goats over the past three years by depriving them of sleep, an agricultural inspection official said on Thursday. After the eight turbines were installed in the notoriously windy Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait, a neighbouring farmer reported that his goats had started dying, Council of Agriculture inspection official Lu Ming-tseng said. “If noise at night can keep people awake, then it could also . . .Complete story »

With all this talk about wind power, it may seem tough to believe that state officials have had a difficult time finding a buyer for two wind turbines. That’s because it is tough to believe. But it’s also true. Let’s hope that state officials are more successful with plans for a wind turbine testing center in Charlestown – which is getting an infusion of $25 million in federal stimulus funds – than they’ve been with finding a home for these . . .Complete story »

Moorsyde photomontages have again been criticised by an expert landscape witness during the triple wind farm inquiry. The inquiry, taking place at The Maltings, Berwick, is examining wind farm proposals at Barmoor by Catamount Energy, at Moorsyde by Moorsyde Wind Farm Ltd, and at Toft Hill by npower. Derek Woolerton, a chartered landscape architect, and expert witness for Northumberland County Council, was cross-examined by the appellants yesterday. When questioned by Elizabeth Dunn, advocate for Moorsyde Wind Farm Ltd, he said . . .Complete story »

Two local authorities have this week expressed their “growing consternation” that Scottish Ministers may be acting outwith their powers in their dealings over the Fallago Rig wind farm inquiry. It is now over 15 months since an official public inquiry was held into Scottish Borders Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for a 48 turbine wind farm at Fallago Rig on the western edge of the Lammermuirs and still the results of that inquiry have not been made public. The . . .Complete story »

Even the mob is going green these days. Italian mafia gangs have reportedly muscled their way into lucrative wind farm construction deals. With European subsidies making wind power a hugely profitable business, the omerta guys have gone PC by weaseling their way into projects across Sicily and in several projects on the mainland. A prosecution investigation dubbed “Operation Wind” revealed mob promises of money and votes for local politicians in exchange for help in approving wind farm projects. Several mob-linked . . .Complete story »

The California Highway Patrol re-opened Hwy. 58 at 11 p.m. Sunday night, May 3, following a meeting between representatives of the owners of an out-of-control wind turbine and the CHP commander. “We had commander Doug Rich come out last night [to meet with the owners],” said CHP spokesman Officer Ed Smith Monday morning. “They assessed the safety for the highway. We determined we should re-open the route.” Smith said that apparently the phenomenon of a turbine spinning unchecked is not . . .Complete story »